A friend put out a public prayer request asking for a non-believer's healing. It was given with her consent and with the assurance that God is a healer, has been doing some great things in people's lives lately, and that we will ask for a miracle to happen ... that she has a full recovery. I found myself praying for the individual and then, I thought, "God, Your name is being put out on the line today." And just as quick as the thought was out, was this realization: God is His Name! We serve a great God; One who actually personifies His name. Healer Lover Provider Redeemer Faithful Friend Powerful Merciful Just Compassionate Forgiving Let them know that You, whose name is the Lord —
that You alone are the Most High over all the earth. Psalm 83:18 NIV God stands by His Name. I woke up this morning from a dream that was a flashback of three situations involving fast moving water and near death experiences. As I recalled each one my heart went down to my stomach again, for the potential of disaster had been upon us. But, what I also remembered was standing on the bank, watching and praying. Let me rephrase that last line more accurately - I was literally yelling out, pleading for God to help, to send His angels, and shouting out encouragement to the swimmers so they would not give up! In each case, I watched as God intervened. The swimmers did not quit, a rescuer timed his entry perfectly to match the current and grab the victim. (I am not talking about a trained rescuer; it was my brother who jumped in to save the individual.) God caused another person to be drawn to the rocky shore, outside of the path of the crazy current, where they were able to grab hold and wait for help. It is impossible for me to describe these scenarios so that you could envision them. But I do know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God intercepted and diverted disaster for all of us. The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. Psalm 34:7 So, back to today. As I opened my Bible my eyes fell on the above verses. On those days in my history, the voice of the Lord was over the waters. He looked past our ignorance and calculations of it for we did not see the danger, and He rescued us.
God is good. God does care. He saves His people ... even from their own folly. He rescues those who trust in Him. (Psalm 28:7-9) With my song, I will praise Him! By His Spirit, I will declare words of encouragement and words of life! The Lord sat enthroned at the Flood, And the Lord sits as King forever. The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace. Psalm 29:10,11 Freedom is not the absence of rules; it is the release to actually follow them with great joy and satisfaction. I am concerned that many of us who claim to follow Jesus are mistaken, having watered down the truth of the gospel to fit personal desires. In our desperate search for love and meaning, have we forgotten truth? Has the tyranny of legalism caused us to swing so far that we have forgotten that surrender and obedience are part of God's equation? I know this seems abrupt, but as I sat reading the Psalms this morning my spirit was stirred. I appeal to you to search the word of God. He does give us guidelines to follow, not because He is a dictator or control freak, but because He knows how we operate best. God's laws come out of His unfailing love. They are liberty for each of us. In them, we find who He is. In them, we find blessing. Freedom is not the absence of rules; it is the release to actually follow them with great joy and satisfaction. When I am free in Christ, I no longer want what I had. Psalm 119:45 I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments. Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths. You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands. As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should! I will obey your decrees. Please don’t give up on me! (Psalm 119:1-8) Did you know that if you read four chapters a day
in your Bible that you will get through it in one year? Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” Mark 1:41 Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:5 “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” Mark 5:19
And the prayer of faith will save the sick & the Lord will raise him up. Unfortunately, the opposite is also true. We'll talk about that tomorrow.
These are excerpts from 'Just Jesus'. Lessons from the book of Mark. Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works. James 2:26 Let's continue from yesterday... faith kept walking. Jairus did not stop Jesus from going to his house and therefore did not stand in the way of God doing an incredible miracle! Faith moves. Faith takes action. Faith touches Jesus. As many as touched (to fasten one's self to, adhere to, cling to) Him were made well. Mark 6:56
Faith declared. Faith came. Faith begged. Faith took Jesus home even though their little girl was dead. Faith carried the sick to Him. Faith moved. (Mark 5:6; 5:27-28; 5:40; 6:55; 7:25; 7:32) Faith is active trust. Don't let the astonishment of what we witness drive us to fear & unbelief. Look at Mark 5:35-36 with me: While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” Now that's a challenge!! The word ‘afraid’ here is the word ‘Phobeo’ and means:
The great thing here in this particular story is that Jairus chose to believe. They kept walking... Here's the rest of the story Mark 5:37-42. Now, click on this link to read the following: Mark 6:2; 6:51-52; 7:37; 8:14-21 What do you see here in relation to astonishment and what effect it may have on us. Have you ever been so amazed at what you see that you did not believe it? What do you see in these examples that show you the heart of God? How many times will He continue to teach us and show us grace? Put your mouth where your faith is. There is a time to be still and a time to make declaration. Faith builds in the presence of God & in the feeding of His word. But faith without action is dead. This is where we need to put our mouth where our heart is ... Say what you believe. Let your request be made known to God. (Psalm 5:3) Mark 5:23 Jairus told Jesus that if He just came and laid His hands on his daughter she would live. Mark 5:28 The woman said that she knew if she could only touch Jesus she would be healed.
John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. Jesus says, ‘Hear Me everyone, and understand... If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.' Do you listen as well as you hear? I've just finished watching a movie with a couple of my grandkids. Unfortunately, I cannot recall most of it because I was not really listening well. I've been laying on the couch with a bit of an achy body - fighting some bug, I guess - and therefore not paying attention all that well, dozing off mid-scene... The movie still played. My ears heard it all. But my mind did not. I'll have to watch 'Cars 2' again with them sometime. :) Take time to really digest what God is saying to you through His Word. Slow down, if needs be, and read those verses again until you really hear. Ask Him to open the eyes of your understanding. Let your faith be supported and fed by what you hear. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. (Romans 10:16-17) I know that this may sound like a strange thought. It may even sound disrespectful to some. But desperate times often result in desperate measures. Ever been there? Remember ... Faith is active trust. Jesus loves faith. I don't think He's so concerned about how we release it! To beg - entreat, pray, beseech, petition, appeal, implore, plead, urge. There are eight times in Mark that we see someone / people / even demons imploring Jesus for help. Here are three: Mark 5:22-23 - Jairus came and fell at His feet (worshiped) and begged Him (or, as the NLT Bible says 'pleaded fervently' with Him) to come & heal his daughter. (read whole story) Mark 7:26 - Jesus was trying to take a break, but this woman found Him and begged Him to drive the demon out of her daughter. (read whole story) Mark 7:32 - There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged him to place his hand on the man. (read whole story) “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. Mark 5:6 Faith worships God. Faith runs to meet Him - to safety. Here we see this man, who is full of unclean spirits, running to Jesus and worshiping Him!! I find this to be an incredibly stunning scenario!
Take Note… It was the man bowing to Jesus, not the demons! It is important to understand that demons know who God is, but they will not submit to Him. (see James 2:19) Read it for yourself ... Mark 5:1-20 (NKJV) Jesus is moved by faith!
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Inquiring MINDS
Please inquire for the word of the LORD today. 1 Kings 22:5
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